Heart Anatomy
This chamber of the heart receives deoxygenated blood from the body through the superior and inferior vena cava.
What is the right atrium?
This phase of the cardiac cycle occurs when the heart chambers relax and fill with blood.
What is diastole?
The top number in a blood pressure reading represents this pressure generated when the left ventricle contracts.
What is systolic blood pressure?
This blood pressure reading (systolic over diastolic) defines a hypertensive crisis and is considered a medical emergency.
What is greater than 180/120 mmHg?
These medications, often called "water pills," are considered first-line therapy for hypertension and promote fluid excretion.
What are diuretics?
These two valves between the atria and ventricles close to produce the first heart sound (S1), known as "lub."
What are the tricuspid and mitral valves (or AV valves)?
Cardiac output equals heart rate multiplied by this volume measurement.
What is stroke volume?
When blood vessels constrict, this resistance increases, causing blood pressure to rise.
What is systemic vascular resistance (SVR) or peripheral vascular resistance?
This is the most common type of hypertension, accounting for 90-95% of cases, and is not related to an existing health problem.
What is primary (or essential) hypertension?
You must always check the heart rate before administering these medications that end in "-olol" and hold them if the heart rate is below 60 bpm.
What are beta blockers?
This is the most muscular and powerful chamber of the heart, responsible for pumping oxygenated blood to the entire body.
What is the left ventricle?
This phase occurs when ventricles are contracting but all valves are closed, causing pressure to build without any change in blood volume.
What is isovolumetric contraction?
These receptors in the aorta and carotid arteries, when activated, cause a drop in blood pressure.
What are baroreceptors?
This organ disease is one of the most common causes of secondary hypertension.
What is kidney (renal) disease?
This common side effect of ACE inhibitors (medications ending in "-pril") may prompt switching to an ARB medication instead.
What is a dry cough?
Blood travels through this valve after leaving the right ventricle on its way to pick up oxygen in the lungs.
What is the pulmonic valve?
These hormones, including epinephrine and norepinephrine, typically cause an increase in heart rate and contractility.
What are catecholamines?
The kidneys release this enzyme in response to under-perfusion, which begins the RAAS cascade to increase blood pressure.
What is renin?
This heart-healthy eating plan is recommended for patients with hypertension and emphasizes fruits, vegetables, and whole grains while reducing sodium.
What is the DASH diet (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension)?
Patients taking loop diuretics like furosemide (Lasix) must be monitored for low levels of this electrolyte, which can cause muscle cramps and cardiac arrhythmias.
What is potassium (hypokalemia)?
This vessel carries oxygenated blood to the left atrium.
What is the pulmonary vein?
This protein found in red blood cells is produced in the bone marrow through erythropoiesis and carries oxygen throughout the body.
What is hemoglobin?
This hormone, the final step in the RAAS system, tells the kidneys to retain sodium and water, thereby increasing blood volume and blood pressure.
What is aldosterone?
Three non-modifiable risk factors for developing hypertension.
What are age, ethnicity, and family history?
This class of medications increases the time it takes for blood to clot.
What are anticoagulants?